NZC may stop players from playing in IPL

New Zealand Cricket may invoke a clause in its players contract and stop the Kiwis from travelling to India for the IPL if they feel that the security assurances are insufficient.

A number of players have expressed concern, including captain Daniel Vettori and all-rounder Jacob Oram with the skipper saying that it would boil down to individual choice, NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan said that under the terms of the contract the players could be asked to stay home.

"We cannot unreasonably prevent players from participating in other competitions but if we could see there was a direct security risk that would not be unreasonable grounds," Vaughan was quoted as saying by New Zealand Herald.

The seven New Zealand players are due to join their franchises after the ongoing India tour.

Vaughan said he would be seeking a comprehensive security report before giving the go-ahead to the players in the wake of the terror attacks in Lahore and Mumbai.

The federation of players' associations, FICA, has already demanded an independent security assessment prior to the IPL.

New Zealand Cricket Players' Association chief Heath Mills also recommended an independent assessment of the security.

"We will not be relying on any security advice that is not independent and comprehensive. It is not good enough to just simply take the assurances from the BCCI or IPL at face value or any assurance they might give Justin," said Mills.

"When it comes to security the BCCI and IPL can no longer suggest they are not going to work with player associations. The international players have every right to have their representatives assess the security around this event as we do in all other situations," said Mills.